Fire extinguishing system



Aug. 2, 1949. c. A, GETZ FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM Filed Sept. 28, 19426 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 2, 1949. c. A. GETZ FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM 6Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 28, 1942 3 MW War/@Afieiz a WMlII mg. 2,1949. -rz 2,477,736

FIRE EXT INGUISHING SYSTEM Filed Sept. 28, 1942 e Sheets-Sheet a Aug. 2,1949. c. A. GETZ FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM 6 Sheets-Sheet 4- Filed Sept.28, 1942 Czar/05A fieiz' Aug, 2, 1949. c. A. GETZ 2,477,736

' FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM Filed Sept. 28, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 FiledSept. 28, 1942 c. AL GETZ FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM 6 Sheets-Sheet 6grvum m Mar/05A fie Patented Aug. 2, 1949 UNI S PATEN T F Fl CE FIRE'EXTI'NGUISHI'NG SYSTEM Charles A. one, Glen Ellyn, .1ll assigne byinesne assignments, to Cardin; florpofation, Chicago, Ill.,a corporation"of Illinois Application September 28, 194-2, -saaiso.i;-;9,n5

9 Claims. (01. T39 113 This invention relatesito new and usefulimprovements in fire extinguishing systems employing carbon dioxide asthe extinguishing medium.

Fire extinguishing systems which are based on the method covered by thepatent to Eric Geertz, No. 2,143,311, issued January 10,1939, areparticularly adapted for selectively protectinga plurality ofindependent hazards because the en tire amount of low temperature andpressure liquid carbon dioxide made available for use in such a systemis stored in a large capacity insulated tank and this type of storagepermits release of the xtinguishing medium into the main header of thesystem by means of a single master control valve while separate selectorvalves are employed for directing the extinguishing medium into theparticular branch lines that lead from the header to the varioushazards. The use of a single master control valve for confining theliquid in the bulk storage tank desirable because it is then onlnecessar to maintain a shortlength of piping and one of the valvesbubble tight; i, e., sealed against leakage of liquid or vapor.Furthermore, it is possible to more rapidly deliver the liquid carbondioxide to the discharge nozzles at the several hazards when the headeris not filled with the carbon dioxide extinguishing medium in vaporform. n

On the other hand, the use of a master control valve in close proximityto the storage tank and selector valves in the various branch lines atpoints remote from said master valve presents a special problem when thepositiveness and simplicity of an entirely manually controlled system isdesired. That is to say, a system of this type would not be consideredpractical or entirely satisfactor if its operation in extinguishing afire in a particular hazard remotely located with respect to the storagetank required an attendant to go to the locations of both the properselector valve and the master control valve to manually open the samebefore the extinguishing medium could be delivered to the threatenedhazard 'or hazards.

It is the primary object of this inventionto provide manually controlledfire extinguishing systems, employing as the extinguishing medium lowtemperature andpressure liquid carbon dioxide confined in a bulk storagetan-k, with a master valve at the tank for controlling the release ofthe extinguishing medium into the "dis tributing header of the systemand a seleetor valve in each branch line for controlling the delivery ofthe extinguishing mediumto the threatened hazard or hazards. I a

A further important object of the inventiori' is to provide a system ofthe afforem" "1oned type in tvhich manu'al opening or any one ofthesele'ctor valves will cause the tester controlvalve 'to be opened tht eq irlnfg any additional ectio' a h rate. leme Stillandtherimportantbb'ject of the invention is to provide afireex'tinguishing system, having a master control "alve and separateselector valves, which nualepening orclosing of any one of the selectvalves will result in causing the remotely p tneemaa er control valve tobe opened or (1, respectively, without requiring "any additional actionon the part of the attendant. A d I, V

Another objector the invention is to provide e ms j iaiee 'ke e ie e andselector va s r hammer a e vr y of the fire extinguishihg rnediuniindividually to the several a a s and i wwlh rhrena r, m electric e ii rei vlqy'eq f r q erat vel o connecting the sele ts re i Wil amette:contr valve; Said s stems beins ll ther-ue r ded Wi means for causingthe master valve tqbeopenedautomatically in case the supply oi electriccurrent to the said circuit, prycircui ts vfai ls ;so that discharge ofthe extinguisher at the hazards will then be llt llfidfifiksh by t se ctv l Qthsr bieetsan acl ant ees of the inv n i n will be apparent duringthe course of the followe e e pt dndr or r V.

t e.assemnanfinsdnwinss .formine a p of thisspecification and inwhichlike numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout tt am v1-' igur 1 is diagrammaticview of a fire exting uishing system embody nthis. invention,

H Fiig ure gis a similar ,view to Fig. 1 but illustrates a slightlymodified form of fire extinguishe y em; .l V

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view of the master control valve whichis normally employed in thesystem ofFig. ;1-for maintaining the carbondioxide confined in its, storage tank whereby the distribution headerwill be of the non-pressure ype;

Figure 4 is partly eievatidna vie and partly vertical sectional view orst john of pilot valve whicl'i will functioh to automatically efiectopening of the master control valve and conversion of the non-pressurenee-eerie apressure header upon failure or the electric bw'er, saidpilot valve being employed in birth or the systems illustrated in Figs.1 and 2; w q

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on the a-eoi Fig. 4', 7

Figures 6" and 7 are detail perspective views of elements incorporatedin the electric control mechanism for the pilot valve of Figs. 4 and 5,

Figure" 8 is a partly" vertical sectional view partly side elevationalvlew of a manually operable selector vaive with'ci'rcui't controllingmeans for the mast-er controrvalve operativ'e'ly associated therewith,

illustration are shown the preferred embodiments of this invention, andfirst particularly referring to Fig. 1, two different fire hazards,which are to be given fire protection, are referred toby the referencecharacters A and B. Although these two hazards are illustrated as beingenclosed acter or to the discharge of carbon dioxide to effect floodingof an enclosed space. The system i just as applicable to theextinguishment of a fire by the direct application of the carbon dioxideto the object being consumed by the fire. It Will be noted that thehazards A and Bare illustrated as being of different sizes. The systemis of such a flexible character that it is capable of protectingdifferent sized hazards, or hazards which require the discharge ofdifferent amounts of carbon dioxide to effect extinguishm-ent of fires.

The liquid carbon dioxide employed for extinguishing fires involving thehazards A and B is stored in the insulated, bulk storage tank I l and ismaintained at the desired low temperature, and its corresponding vaporpressure, in accordance with the teachings of the aforementioned patentissued to Eric Geertz. The capacity of the storage tank Il may be variedto provide the types of discharges that are deemed to be most practicalfor protecting the particular hazards involved. In other words, thecapacity of the storage tank Il may be such that it will affordprotection for all of the hazards without requiring the tank to berefilled or the capacity may be limited so as to aiford simultaneousprotection; i. e., actual extinguishment of fires, in only a limitednumber of the hazards without a refill. The character of the respectivehazards, the proximity of the same with respect to each other, and otherwell known factors will determine the capacity of the storage tank forany given system.

Liquid carbon dioxide is obtained from the storage tank II by means ofthe dip tube or pipe l2 which terminates at a level which is relativelyclose to the bottom of the tank. This dip tube l2 extends from the tankand takes the form of a discharge pipe line [3 having a manuallyoperable shut-oif valve [A properly connected therein. This shut-offvalve is normally open and is only employed for confining the carbondioxide in the storage tank II when changes or repairs are being made inthe remainder of the system.

The outer end of the discharge pipe line I3 is connected to the inletside of the master control valve l5. The discharge side of this mastercontrol valve is connected to the header 96 that is common to all of thebranch lines ll that lead to the discharge devices l8 associated withthe various hazards.

The master control valve I is intended to normally function to confinethe carbon dioxide in the storage tank I I and the relatively shortlength of discharge pipe I3. Therefore, the master control valve I5normally is closed. As the master control valve is normally subjectedtothe pressure of the carbon dioxide stored in the tank II, this valvemust be maintained bubble-tight, or in a condition to prevent leakage ofcarbon dioxide' past the same into the common header l6. Therefore, themaster control valve renders the header it of the non-pressure type.Because of this non-pressure condition of the header and its branchlines H, the joints between pipe sections need not be maintainedabsolutely leakproof and the selector valves [9, which are provided forcontrolling flow of the carbon dioxide through their re'spectivebranchlines ll', need not be bubbletight.

The master control valve I5 is opened and closed as a result of thedevelopment of differential 'fluid pressure conditions within itscasing. For this reason, a pressure chamber is formed in the upperportion 15a of the valve casing. Carbon dioxide is controllablydelivered to the pressure chamber of the valve casing portion Iliathrough the control line 20. A pilot valve 2| is provided in thiscontrol line and is normally closed so that the chamber in the valvecasing portion I500 normally will not be supplied with the fiuidpressure which functions to open the pilot valve.

An electrical control device 22 is associated with the pilot valve 2|.This electrical device includes 'a solenoid that controls the conditionof a trip lever which in turn controls the operation of a valveactuating lever. That is to say, when the solenoid coil is energized,the actuating lever will function to maintain the pilot valve 2| closedso that fluid pressure will not be created in the pressure chamber ofthe master control valve casing portion l5a to open the master valve.When the solenoid coil of the electric control device 22 isde-energized, the pilot valve 2| will open and fiuid pressure will flowfrom the carbon dioxide discharge line [3 through the control line 20into the master control valve casing portion [5a for efiecting openingof this latter valve.

The electric circuit for the control device 22 includes the two mainsupply lines 23 and 24. A circuit line 25 extends from the supply line23 to one terminal or binding post of the solenoid coil of the electriccontrol device 22. A second circuit wire 26 extends from the secondterminal or binding post of the solenoid coil of the control device 22to one terminal of the normally closed switch 27. The circuit Wire 28extends from the second post of this switch 21 to one post of a normallyclosed switch 29. The circuit wire 3!] extends from the second post ofthe switch 29 to the main supply wire 24. It will be seen, therefore,that as long as both of the switches 27 and 29 are closed a circuit willbe established for the solenoid coil of the electric control device 22but wheneither one of the switches 27 and 29 is opened, the circuit willbe broken for said solenoid coil and the solenoid Will be de-energized.As-Was stated above, the pilot valve 2| will open when the electriccontrol device 22 is de-energized.

The tWo selector valves H! are of identical construction. They are ofsuch a design that they must be manually opened and closed. Therefore,each selector valve is provided with an operating lever 3|. A switchoperating cam 32 is operatively associated with each valve actuatinglever 3|. Fig. 1 discloses the valve operating lever 3| and the switchoperating cam 32 of each selector valve in the positions they assumewhen the valve is closed. When the lever 3| of a selector valve isactuated to open the valve, the associated cam 32 will be moved so thatit will actuate its circuit curves controlling switch 21 or 2 9 so as toopen the switch. It will be seen, therefore, that whenever an attendantdetects a fire in a hazard he can bring about extinguishment of thatfire by merely manually opening the selector valve I9 which controlsflow of carbon dioxide through the branch line H extending to theinvolved hazard. This opening of a selector valve will cause the circuitto the electric control device 22 to be broken and the pilot valve 2 Ithen will be opened. Opening of the pilot valve will cause the mastercontrol valve IE to open and the carbon dioxide will flow through thedischarge line 13 and the master control valve l5 into the header l6 andfrom this header through the branch line I! which has its selector valveis opened. When the fire is extinguished, the attendant merely closesthe opened selector valve is and discharge of carbon dioxide at theinvolved hazard ceases. The electric control device 22 for the pilotvalve 2| is so constructed that it must be reset manually to cause thepilot valve 2i to close. When the pilot valve is closed how of carbondioxide through the control line 2t to the master control valve casingportion its is cut off and the master control valve will'be closed. Anysuitable means, not shown, may be employed for bleeding off the carbondioxide trapped between the master control valve i5 and the selectorvalves [9.

From the above description of the mode of operation of the system shownin Fig. 1, it will be appreciated that any failure of power supply willcause the electric control device 22 to be ole-energiaed with the resultthat the master control valve it": will be opened. The system will thenoperate with the non-pressure header l6 converted to a pressure headerand with the selector valves [9 functioning to control the delivery ofthe extinguishing medium to involved hazards.

The system of Fig. 2 differs from the system of Fig. 1 in only onefundamental principle. In the system of Fig. 1, the master control valvewill be opened as a result of opening one of the selector valves but themaster control valve will stay open after the selector valve is closed.In the system of Fig. 2, the mastercontrol valve will not only be openedwhen a selectorvalve is opened but it also will be closed when theactuated selector valve is closed. The instrumentalities which bringabout this difference in mode ofoperation will now be described.

We again have two hazards A and B illustrated Fig. 2. The carbon dioxidestorage tank II is provided with its'dip tube l2, thedischarge line itwith its shut-off valve 14 and the master control valve 15. Flow ofcarbon dioxide through the master control valve into the header [6 isbrought about when the master control valve is opened. The header [6; isprovided with the branch lines ii that extend to thedischarge devicesit's for the respective hazards. A selector valve to is provided foreach, one of the branch lines ii.

The master control valve casing portion l5a is formed with a pressurechamber that is con-- trollably supplied with carbon. dioxide, throughthe control line 20-. A pilot. valve 2|. is provided in this line and iscontrolled by the electrical device 22. The supplyofcurrent to theelectric control device 22 is provided-by theicircuit wires 33 and sowhich extend to; the two main supply r s and 35 respectively. A.suitable switch 3 l is connected in thecircuihto thescontrol device 22so that openingmfl haswitchtwill resultin de energi-zing the solenoidcoil fo'r the control device 22.

With the mechanism so far described, it will be appreciated that themaster control valve I5 will be opened as a result of failure of powersupply to the electric control device 22 of the pilot valve 2i. However,the master control valve IE will only be opened as a result of openingthe pilot valve 2i when there is a power failure or when the switch 37is intentionally opened. a

The master control valve l5 of this Fig. 2 system diners from the mastercontrol valve of the Fig. 1 system by having added thereto a solenoidoperated pilot valve which is generally designated :by the referencecharacter 38. This solenoid operated pilot valve includes a solenoidcoil that de energized when its pilot valve is closed and is energizedwhen its pilot valve is open. The circuit for the solenoid coil of thedevice includes a wire 39 that extends from the main supply line 35 anda circuit wire #0 that extends to one terminal of the normally openswitch 62'. The second terminal 63 of this switch is connected to a wireMi that extends to the second named supply line 35. The wire 46 hasconnected thereto a branch wire 25 which extends to the terminal lii ofthe normally open switch Ail. lhe second terminal 48 of this switch isconnected by the wire 59 to the wire M. It will be seen, therefore, thatthe solenoid coil of the pilot Valve device 38 is normally ole-energizedbut it will become energized when either one of theswitches E2 or ll isoperated to close the circuit. I

Each one of the selector valves [9 is provided with an operating lever3! by means of which the vaive is opened and closed. Operativelyassociated with each valve lever ii! is a cam 32 which functions toactuate its normally open switch d2 or il. In Fig. 2 the selector valveoperating levers 31 are illustrated in the posi tions they assume whenthe selector valves are closed. The cams 32, also, are illustrated intheir normal positions that are assumedwhen the selector valves areclosed. When either selector valve is opened by operation of this lever3|, the associated cam 32 will function to close its switch 52 or ll.When this selector valve is again closed, the associated switch will beopened. Therefore, the circuit to the solenoid operated pilot valve 88of the master control valve IE will be operated to open the mastercontrol valve when either pilot valve is opened and will be operated toclose the master control valve when said pilot valve is again closed.

The detail features of construction of the various instrumentalitiesincorporated in the systems of Figs. 1 and 2 now will be described Fig.3 discloses the construction ofthe master control valve that is used inthe-Fig. 1 system. The discharge pipe iii of the carbon dioxide storagetank H is suitably conne'ctedto' the inlet 48 of the master controlvalve casing while the header it is suitably connected'to-the outlet 50of this valve. The interiorof the master control valvecasing is providedwith a partition 5|" that separates the inlet 49 from the outlet 503 Aflow opening 52 is formed in the partition 51 and this opening hasthreadedly mounted therein the valve seat 53. A valve 5t is positionedto engage the valve seat 53 through the medium of the seating disc orring 55". This valve 5"4, of course, controls how of the-carbondioxidefrom theinlet side iflto the-outletsidew; Theseat ing and unseatingmovements of' 'tlie vane-w .7 are guided by the plunger 56 which ismovably mounted in the cylinder 51. The valve 54 is normally loaded bymeans of the spring 58 so that the valve will engage the seating ring 53when no force is present which will overcome the spring 58. Of course,the pressure of the carbon dioxide in the inlet 49 will be applied tothe valve 54 and will cooperate with the loading spring 53 to move thevalve 54 toward and hold it in engagement with its seating ring '53.

The master control valve casing portion la is suitably connected to themain portion of the valve casing. This casing portion is provided with acylinder 59 in which is mounted the fluid pressure piston 60. A pistonrod 6| extends through the piston 66 and is connected at its lower endto the valve rod $22. A bore 63 is formed in the piston rod BI andcommunicates at its upper end with the fluid pressure chamber 64 throughthe medium of the plug 65 that is provided with a restricted aperture oropening. The piston rod bore 63 communicates at its lower end with abore 66 that is formed in the valve rod 62. Lateral ports 61 communicatewith the Valve rod bore 86 to provide communication between this latterbore and the discharge side 50 of the partition 5!. It will be seen,therefore, that the pressure chamber 64 is in open communication withthe discharge side 50 of the master control Valve and that the apertureor opening of the plug 65 controls the rate of flow of fluid from thepressure chamber to the discharge of the valve.

A by-pass duct 68 is illustrated as being formed in the Walls of themain casing body and the pressure chamber casing portion IEa. This bypass duct provides communication between the inlet side 49 of the mastervalve and a chamber 59 which is formed between the top 10 of thepressure chamber 64 and the end closure plate H. This 'by-pass duct 68and its communicat ing chamber 69 perform no function in this valvebecause the closure plug '12 prevents communication between the chamber69 and the pressure chamber 64. In other words, when the master controlvalve I5 is used in the system of Fig. 1 the by-pass duct 68 is not inuse. This duct, however, is used in the form of master control valveemployed in the system of Fig. 2. Its function in this latter valve willbe described at a later point.

Small portions of the control line 20 are illustrated in Fig. 3 as be ngconnected to the storage tank discharge line l3 and to the pressurechamber 64 through the opening 13 that is formed in the'side wall of thepressure casing portion I5a. This opening 13 is tapped at 14 forreceiving the coupling member 15. When the pilot valve 2| is opened,carbon dioxide will flow through the control line 20 from the dischargepipe l3 of the storage tank into the pressure chamber 64 of the valve.The pressure of the carbon dioxide will build up in the chamber 64 andwill be applied against the upper face of the piston 60. As the area ofthis piston face is greater than the exposed area of the valve 54, adifferential pressure condition will be created which will cause thepiston to force the valve 54 away from its seat. When the p lot valve 2!is closed, the carbon dioxide pressure developed in the chamber 64 willbe dissipated through the orifice or opening of the plug 65, the pistonrod bore 63, the valve rod bore 66 and the lateral ports 61 into thedischarge side of the valve casing. Due to this drop in pressure in thechamber 64, the pressure of the spring 58 and of the carbondioxide'applied to the valve 54 will function to close the valve. Due tothe fact that the aperture or opening of the plug 65 is of considerablysmaller diameter than the bore of the control line 20, the pressure willbe maintained in the chamber 64 to hold the valve open as long as thepilot valve 2| is open.

Fig. l0 discloses the master control valve for the system of Fig. 2.This Fig. 10 master control valve differs from the Fig. 3 valve only byhaving the solenoid pilot valve device 38 associated therewith.Therefore, this solenoid pilot valve will be described in detail.Reference may be made to the detailed description of the remainingelements as applied to the Fig. 3 disclosure.

In the master control valve of Fig. 10 an apertured plug 16 issubstituted for the closure plug 12 of Fig. 3. This apertured plug actsas a seat for the pilot valve I? that is slidably mounted in the opening18 formed in the cap 19. This cap is substituted for the closure cap llof the Fig. 3 valve. A pilot valve stem connects the pilot valve 11 tothe solenoid armature 8i that is operatively associated with thesolenoid coil 82; The solenoid coil 82 is supplied with electricitythrough the circuit wires 33 and 34 in accordance with the descriptionof the Fig, 2 system.

When the solenoid coil 82 is energized, the armature 8| is caused tomove upwardly for unseating the pilot valve 77. This opening movement ofthe pilot valve permits the carbon dioxide to flow through the by-passduct 68 into the chamber 69 and from this chamber through the apertureof the plug 16 into the pressure chamber 64 where it will be appliedagainst the upper surface of the piston 60 for effecting openingmovement of the valve 54. When the pilot valve 71 is closed, or seatedagainst the plug 16, the carbon dioxide pressure developed in thechamber 64 will be dissipated through the bores of the piston rod 6| andvalve rod 62 into the outlet 50 of the valve. 7

The pilot valve 2|, for the control line 20, and the electrical controldevice 22 for the pilot valve are of the same construction in both ofthe systems-of Figs. 1 and 2. These devices will be described in detailin connection with the disclosures of Figs. 4 to 7 inclusive.

The pilot valve 2| is provided with a main body portion 83 that hasformed therein a chamber 34. The lower end of this chamber is closed bythe cap 85. A valve seat 86 is formed on the inner end of this cap tocooperate with the valve body 87. A spring 88 is interposed between theinner end of the cap and the valve 81 and normally functions to unseatthe valve. The main pilot valve body 83 and the cap 85 are illustratedas being connected with the sections of the control pipe 20. When thevalve 81 is engaging its seat 86 carbon dioxide will not be permitted toflow throughthe pilot valve. The valve body 81 g. provided with a valvestem 89 which extends out of the chamber 84 and into the interior of thebox 90 of the electric control device 22.

The end of thevalve stem 89 is engaged by an adjustable set screw 9|which is carried by the main valve operating lever 93. This lever isdisclosed in detail in Fig. '7. A threaded aperture 94 is provided inthe lever to receive the set screw 9|. One end of the lever is providedwith an aperture 95 and a concentric socket 96. The remaining endportion of the lever is cut away at 9'! to form the side shoulders 98.

Fig. 4 discloses the box 99 as having a cap screw 99 secured to itsbottom wall and passing through the aperture es of the lever 93. Therelative diameters of the aperture 95 and the cap screw 39 are such thatthe lever will be permitted to rock or pivot to a limited extent withrespect to the screw. The socket E of the lever 93 is employed forreceiving the lower end of the spring lilfl. Anadjustable nut MI isthreaded on the upper end of the cap screw 99 and engages the upper endof the spring Hit. By adjusting this nut II]! the force of the springltd applied to the associated end of the lever as may be varied. A stopwe cooperates with the spring loaned end of the lever 93 to limitmovement of the latter.

The shoulders 98 of the lever 93 are adapted to be engaged by thefingers I03 of the pair of parallel trip levers 564 which are shown inthe assembly views of Figs. 4 and 5 While one of these levers isillustrated in detail in Fig. 6. These parallel trip levers H14 arepivotally connected at their lower ends N95 to the mounting block I85 bythe pin Ill'I. Notches I68 are formed in the upper ends of these triplevers Hi4 to receive the transverse pin I09 carried by the projectingend of the solenoid armature IIU. This armature is associated with thelaminated core III of the solenoid coil H2. Two different sets of reference characters are applied to the circuit wires for the solenoid coilin Figs. 1 and 2. To avoid confusion, the reference characters 25 and 26applied to the circuit wires in Fig. 1 will be employed in Fig. 4.

As long as the solenoid coil H2 is energized,

its armature III will occupy the position illustrated in Fig. 4. When inthis position, the armature will hold the pair of trip levers I84 in theposition illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 so that their fingers IE3 willengage the shoulders 38 of the main valve operating lever 93. The triplevers Hid then will hold down one end of the main valve lever Q3 whilethe other end of this lever is being held down by the spring IUD. Withthe lever 93 retained in the position illustrated in Figs. a

and 5, the set screw 9| will engage the upper end of the pilot valvestem 89 for holding the pilot valve body 58 against its seat 86. Whenthe solenoid coil H2 is die-energized, by interruption of the flow ofcurrent through the wires 25 and 26, the solenoid armature III] will bepermitted to move outwardly. This outward movement of the armature I Iill will cause the trip levers its to pivot about their pin Iil'I formoving their fingers I03 out of engagement with the shoulders 98 of thevalve lever 93. Release of this lever 93 at one end will permit thepressure of the carbon dioxide in the cap bore H3 and the spring 88 tomove the pilot valve body 81 away from its seat 86. Carbon dioxide thenwill flow through the pilot valve 2i I and its associated control pipesections 2% for supplying the master control valve with the desiredvalve opening fluid pressure.

It was pointed out above that the electric control device 22 must bemanually reset after it had functioned to efiect opening of the pilotvalve 2 i. To manually reset this device, the box 9b is provided with aremovable cover plate H3. which, when removed, exposes an opening IM. Anattendant may gain access to the interior of the box 9! by removing thecover H3 and he may then depress the lever 93 so that its shoulders 93may again be engaged by the fingers I113 of the pair of trip levers I04.

Theselector valves 19' for both of the systems ofFi'gs. 1 and 2 may beof the same construction and of any desired design. A manually operablegate valve has been selected to illustrate the principle of the selectorvalves. One such gate valve is illustrated in Fig. 8. This valveincludes the body I I5 which is adapted to be connected to one sectionof a branch line IT. A nut I I6 is threaded in the opening III of thebody H5 and functions as the coupling for the second section of thebranch line ET. This nut IIB also functions to provide a seat I I8 forthe valve disc I I9 to engage. The disc H9 is associated with the disccarrier 52b in the conventional manner. A rotatable stem I2I hasthe disccarrier I20 attached to its inner end. This stem extends through thebushing assembly I22 and has the operating handle 3! suitably attachedto its projecting end. This handle is secured in place by means of thestem nut IM.

In the descriptions of the systems of Figs. 1 and 2 each selector valveI9 is described as havin associated therewith a cam 32 that functions tooperate a circuit controlling switch. The switch of the system of Fig. 1is normally conditioned to close its circuit when the valve is closedand the cam 32 of the valve functions to operate the switch to break itscircuit when the valve is manually moved to its open position. In thesystem of Fig. 2 the switches are normally conditioned to break or opentheir circuits and the cams 32 function to actuate the switches to closetheir circuits when the associated selector valves ar opened. There arenumerous makes of plunger type limit switches available on the openmarket which can be employed in connection with the selector valves ofthe systems of Figs. 1 and 2. These switches may be either of the singlepole or double pole types which are normally either open or closed. Whenthey are normally closed depression of their operating push rod orbutton results in opening the circuit through the switch. When theswitches are normally open, depression of the push rod or button resultsin closing the circuit. The normally open and normally closed switchesof a given manufacturer have the same exterior appearance and for thatreason the disclosure of the switch 925 in Fig. 8 will suffice for theswitches 2l2 of Fig. 1 and 42-41 of Fig. 2.

This switch I25 may be supported by the straps l 25 which are clamped toone section of the associated branch line H. The push rod or button E2?of this switch is illustrated in full lines in Fig. 8 in its normal,extended position. Depression oi this push rod or button I21 will causethe switch Add to break its circuit if the switch is in use in the Fig.1 system. Depression of the push rod or button I21 will bring aboutclosing of the circuit through the switch I25 if the switch is employedin the system of Fig. 2. The cam 32 includes a mounting disc I28employed for connecting the cam to and mounting it on the valve sternitl. The valve handle attaching nut I24 also functions to secure the cammounting disc 5283 on the valve stem. This disc carries a cam elementi529 which is illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 in full lines and in dottedlines. The full line position corresponds with the closed position ofthe valve disc IIS and its carrier I20. When the 12$ is in this fullline position it is spaced from the switch push rod or button I21. Whenvalve handle 3| is operated to open the selector valve I9, the cam 32 ismoved to cause its earn element I29 to engage and depress the switchpush rod or button I21. The dotted line positions of the cam I29 inFigs. 8 and 9 is assumed when the element has functioned to depress thepush rod or button [21 of the switch I25. When the valve operatinghandle 3I is returned to its normal position, for closing the selectorvalve IS, the cam element I29 again assumes its full line position ofFigs. 8 and-9 and the push rod or button I2? of the switch I25 willagain assume its projected or full line position if it is not restrainedin any way.

Fig. 8 discloses a push rod retaining latch I30 which is pivotallymounted on the casing of the switch I25 by means of the hinge structureI3I. This latch is normally loaded by the spring I32 which functions tourge the latch from its full line position to its dotted line position.An operating handle I 33 is attached to the latch I30 and is used toelevate the latch from its dotted line position into its full lineposition against the force of the spring I32.

By inspecting Fig. 8 it will be seen that the latch I30 occupies fullline position when the switch push rod or button I2! is in its projectedor normal position. When the push rod or button I2! is depressed by thecam element I29, the spring I 32 causes the latch I30 to move downwardlyso that the extremity I30a of the latch will overlie the outer face ofthe push rod or button I2'I. This latch will then function to hold theswitch push rod or button I 27 in its retracted or depressed positionfor maintaining the switch 25 in its abnormal condition.

This latch I30 is optional equipment. When it is employed it willfunction to hold the switch I25 in its abnormal condition after theassociated pilot valve has been manually closed. Of course,

whenever the latch I 30 is elevated into its full line position theswitch push rod or button I21 will be permitted to move outwardly intoits normal position. Therefore, the latch may be elevated prior tomanually closing the pilot valve I9 so that the switch will respond tothe operation of the valve or the latch I30 may be elevated at any timeafter the pilot valve has been closed. The switch I25 then would bereturned to its normal condition independently of closing of its pilotvalve.

It will be appreciated from the above descriptions of the two systems ofFigs. 1 and 2 and the instrumentalities that are incorporated thereinthat discharge of the fire extinguishing carbon dioxide at any hazardmay be accomplished by manually opening the selector valve I9 which isopcratively associated with the involved hazard. This manual opening ofthe selector valve will bring about opening of the master control valve.In the system of Fig. 1 closing of the selector valve will not bringabout closing of the master control valve because the electric controldevice 22 for the pilot valve 2I must be manually reset. In the systemof Fig. 2, however, the master control valve I will be opened and closedin response to opening and closing operations of either one of theselector valves of this system. This is due to the fact that theswitches for the selector valves control the circuit to the solenoidoperated pilot valve device 38 of the master control valve l5 and thissolenoid operated pilot valve is automatically opened and closed inresponse to energization and de-energization of its solenoid coil. Inthe Fig. 2 system the pilot valve 2I and its electric control device 22only function in case of power failure and do not function in responseto manual operation of the selector valves.

It is to be understood that the forms of this invention herewith shownand described are to 12 be taken as preferred examples of the same, andthat various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may beresorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or thescope of the subjoined claims.

Havin thus described the invention, I claim:

1. A fire extinguishing system for protecting a plurality of separatehazards, comprising a storage tank for supplying liquid carbon dioxide,a discharge pipe extending from the tank, a master valve for controllingthe flow of carbon dioxide through the discharge pipe, a headerconnected to the outlet of the master valve, a separate branch pipe lineextending to each hazard from the header, a solely manually operableselector valve for controlling each branch pipe line, normallydeenergized electrically controlled means operable in response to manualopening operation of any selector valve for effectin opening operationof the master valve, and additional normally energized electricallycontrolled means for effecting opening operation of the master valve andfor causing said master valve to remain open in the event of failure ofthe supply of electricity for the normally de-energized electricallycontrolled means.

2. A fire extinguishing system for protecting a plurality of separatehazards, comprising a storage tank for supplying liquid carbon dioXide,a discharge pipe extending from the tank, a master valve for controllingthe flow of carbon dioxide through the discharge pipe, a headerconnected to the outlet of the master valve, a separate branch pipe lineextending to each hazard from the header, a selector valve forcontrolling each branch pipe line, means for manually opening andclosing each selector valve, electrical means for effecting opening andclosing operations of the master valve, a circuit for said electricalmeans, and circuit controlling means operatively associated with andoperated by each selector valve manual opening and closing means foreffecting operation of the electrical means to open and close the mastervalve when any selector valve is opened and closed.

3. A fire extinguishing system for protecting a plurality of separatehazards, comprising a storage tank for supplying liquid carbon dioxide,a discharge pipe extending from the tank, a master valve for controllingthe flow of carbon dioxide through the discharge pipe, differentialfluid pressure means for effecting opening operation of said mastervalve, a pilot yalve for controlling the application of the difierentialfluid pressure to said means, a header connected to the outlet of themaster valve, a separate branch pipe line extending to each hazard fromthe header, a selector valve for controlling each branch pipe line,means for manually opening each selector valve, and means operable inresponse to opening operation of the manual opening means of anyselector valve for effecting operation of the pilot valve to cause themaster valve to be opened.

4. A fire extinguishing system for protecting a plurality ofseparate'hazards, comprising a storage tank for supplyin liquid carbondioxide, a discharge pipe extending from the tank, a master valve forcontrolling the flow of carbon dioxide through the discharge pipe,differential fluid pressure means for effecting opening and closingoperations of said master valve, a pilot valve for controlling theapplication of the differential fluid pressure to said means, a headerconnected to the outlet of the master valve, a separate branch pipe lineextending to each hazard from the header, a selector valve forcontrolling each branch pipe line, means for manually operating eachselector valve, and means operable in response to openin and closingoperations of the manual operating means of any selector valve forcausing operation of the pilot valve to efiect opening and closingoperations of the master valve.

5. A fire extinguishing system for protecting a plurality of separatehazards, comprising a storage tank for supplying liquid carbon dioxide,a discharge pipe extending from the tank, a master valve for controllinthe flow of carbon dioxide through the discharge pipe, dilierentialfluid pressure means for efiectin opening operation of said mastervalve, a pilot valve for controlling the application of the difierentialfluid pressure to said means, electrical means for operating the pilotvalve, a circuit for said electrical means, a header connected to theoutlet of the master valve, a separate branch pipe line extending toeach hazard from the header, a selector valve for controlling eachbranch pipe line, means for manually opening each selector valve, andcircuit controlling means operated by the manual opening means of eachselector valve for effecting operation of the electrical means for thepilot valve to cause the pilot valve to be operated to open the mastervalve when any selector valve is opened.

6. A fire extinguishing system for protectin a plurality of separatehazards, comprising a storage tank for supplying liquid carbon dioxide,a discharge pipe extending from the tank, a master valve for controllingthe flow of carbon dioxide through the discharge pipe, differentialfluid pressure means for efiecting opening and closing operations ofsaid master valve, a pilot valve for controlling the application of thedifferential fluid pressure to said means, electrical means foroperating the pilot valve, a circuit for said electrical means, a headerconnected to the outlet of the master valve, a separate branch pipe lineextending to each hazard from the header, a selector valve forcontrolling each branch pipe line, means for manually operating eachselector valve, and circuit controlling means operated by the manualoperating means of each selector valve for effecting operation of theelectrical means for the pilot valve to cause the pilot valve to beoperated to open and close the master valve when any selector valve isopened and closed.

7. A fire extinguishing system for protecting a plurality of separatehazards, comprising a storage tank for supplying liquid carbon dioxide,a discharge pipe extending from the tank, a master valve for controllingthe flow of carbon dioxide through the discharge pipe, a header con"nected to the outlet of the master valve, a separate branch pipe lineextendin to each hazard from the header, a selector valve forcontrolling each branch pipe line, means for manually operatin eachselector valve, electrical means for maintaining the master valve closedwhen energized and for efiecting opening operation of the master valvewhen lie-energized, a normally closed circuit for the electrical means,and circuit opening means directly operated by the manual operatingmeans of each selector valve for opening the circuit to the electricalmeans when any selector valve is opened, said electrical means beingoperable independently of said circuit opening means for all of theselector valves to effect opening operation of the master Valveautomatically in the event of failure of the supply of current thereto.

8. A fire extinguishing system for protecting a plurality of separatehazards, comprising a storage tank for supplying liquid carbon dioxide,a discharge pipe extending from the tank, a master valve for controllingthe flow of carbon dioxide through the discharge pipe, a headerconnected to the outlet of the master valve, a separate branch pipe lineextending to each hazard from the header, a solely manually operableselector valve for controlling each branch pipe line, normallytie-energized electrical means for effecting opening operation of themaster valve, a circuit for said electrical means, circuit closinc meansoperatively associated with each selector valve for efiectingenergization of the said electrical means to open the master valve whenany selector valve is manually opened, and normally energized electricalmeans for effecting opening operation of the master valve in the eventof failure of current supply thereto,

9. A fire extinguishing system for protecting a plurality of separatehazards, comprising a source of supply of liquid carbon dioxide, pipingextending from said source of supply to each one of the separate hazardsand including a separate branch line for each hazard. and a headercommon to all of the branch lines, a master valve for controlling theflow of carbon dioxide from said source of supply to the header, fluidpressure actuated means for effecting opening and closing operations ofthe master valve, electric current actuated means for controlling theapplication of fluid pressure to the first mentioned means, a circuitfor said electrical means, a selector valve for controlling each branchline, separate means for directly manually opening and closing eachselector valve, and separate electrical current flow controlling meansat each selector valve actuated by the means for manually opening andclosing said selector valve and connected in the said circuit for theelectrical means to cause the master valve to be opened and closed eachtime any selector valve is opened and closed.

CHARLES A. GETZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 461,089 Wolstencroft et a1. Oct.13, 1891 777,888 Fiddes Dec. 20, 1904 1,768,739 Boyd July 1, 19301,912,458 Mapes June 6, 1933 1,923,160 McLaren Aug. 22, 1933 1,968,086Mapes July 31, 1934 2,023,569 Allen et al Dec. 10, 1935 2,240,079 RothApr. 29, 1941 2,291,101 Papulskl July 28, 1942 2,307,784 Mapes Jan. 12,1943

